Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Dr. Jazz Nejat | Henna Artist, Pharmacist, Yoga Teacher

I was born in Shiraz, Iran and moved to Arizona when I was 6 years old. While I was young when I moved to America, I still proudly carry and hold many values and traditions of my home country close to my heart. My background definitely impacted who I am today for many reasons. For example, our culture deeply values loyalty and family – both which are extremely relevant in my life. Another example is how Iranian culture as a whole values knowledge in the form of degrees and accolades (think doctors, engineers, etc). So growing up, there was always a high standard to succeed, and I was more than willing to achieve those goals. I knew that my parents would love me no matter what, but I still felt like the way to really make them happy was through prestigious accomplishments – so I chased that goal fervently! Read more>>

Aaron Stouffer | Architectural Designer & Artist

I was born and raised in a the small town of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, about 160 miles west of Philadelphia. My parents were both descendants of hardworking farming families and it was the only environment I knew. At a young age, I was eager for a job to pocket some spending cash. Summers were filled with mowing neighborhood lawns and helping relatives bail hay for their livestock throughout the coming winter months. At 15, I landed a job at a local fast food restaurant to which I began receiving my first actual paycheck. I knew at a young age that I wanted a career in design and architecture and at age 18, despite family disapproval, I packed up my car and ventured west to Ohio for my freshman year of college at Kent State University. Read more>>

Emily Goff | Co-Owner, Arizona Zipline Adventures

I am from the small town of Oracle, AZ, which is where I currently live and work. I grew up on a working cattle ranch and was instilled with strong values surrounding nature, community, respect, and hard work. My love for nature and outdoor adventures was cultivated at a young age and has continued to play a major role in my life and the business that I run. If I am not at work, you can usually find me outside ‘oohing and aahing’ over the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. I was taught to respect and value the people in my life and this is something that I pride myself on today- my relationships and communities are everything to me. The lessons that I learned about hard work and never giving up as I watched my family work sun up to sun down ring truer to me now than ever before. I am proud to say that I am who I am today because of the way that I was raised. Read more>>